LSD options for the E85 (3.0i in my case)

[DaveP]

After picking up a beaut of a 3.0i, I was reminded of why LSDs make RWD cars so much fun. Nobody gets excited by a one-wheel-peel, after all.

It's been a while since I looked at the options, so I would appreciate a refresher from those who've been down this route. I remember Quaife and M-Factory as options - are there any others? I would probably need a drive-in/out service, because I'm mechanically incompetent - anywhere in East Anglia that can do this?

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[inkey$]

I recently asked the same question. There's a good link from Perry in my thread...
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=139888

 

[TheDan]

Your main options are Quaife, MFactory or Blackline (there are others, but they are either super expensive race LSDs or are really hard to get hold of in the UK).

If you buy the LSD unit by itself you will need to find a specialist independent garage (or a place that is familiar with LSD installations) to do the work as measuring/setting the clearances/backlash is not general knowledge.

For mine I went to Birds Auto to get a Quaife LSD mainly because it was the most convenient at the time and also they give a 3 year guarantee on the installation and a lifetime guarantee on the Quaife unit itself (providing maintenance is kept up).

No matter where you go, you should plan for the job to take between 4 and 6 hours depending on the garage. When I went to Birds Auto, I took the train from Iver (a short 10 minute walk from Birds) to Paddington and spent the day being the ultimate tourist in London. :rofl:

Finally, before getting my LSD I bought a used 3.46 ratio diff from a 3.0i auto (also found in the 3.0si manual) to give a slight improvement to the acceleration. If you do this, make sure to know which diff you are installing the LSD into as most LSDs have a specific FD ratio the are designed for.

 

[DaveP]

Your main options are Quaife, MFactory or Blackline (there are others, but they are either super expensive race LSDs or are really hard to get hold of in the UK).

If you buy the LSD unit by itself you will need to find a specialist independent garage (or a place that is familiar with LSD installations) to do the work as measuring/setting the clearances/backlash is not general knowledge.

For mine I went to Birds Auto to get a Quaife LSD mainly because it was the most convenient at the time and also they give a 3 year guarantee on the installation and a lifetime guarantee on the Quaife unit itself (providing maintenance is kept up).

No matter where you go, you should plan for the job to take between 4 and 6 hours depending on the garage. When I went to Birds Auto, I took the train from Iver (a short 10 minute walk from Birds) to Paddington and spent the day being the ultimate tourist in London. :rofl:

Finally, before getting my LSD I bought a used 3.46 ratio diff from a 3.0i auto (also found in the 3.0si manual) to give a slight improvement to the acceleration. If you do this, make sure to know which diff you are installing the LSD into as most LSDs have a specific FD ratio the are designed for.

Interesting, thank you!

Do you mind letting on how much the Birds service was, because they aren't too far from me in London? Although London labour rates aren't to be sniffed at. My Land Rover specialist in Battersea is £100/hr!

 

[TheDan]

Interesting, thank you!

Do you mind letting on how much the Birds service was, because they aren't too far from me in London? Although London labour rates aren't to be sniffed at. My Land Rover specialist in Battersea is £100/hr!

It was ~£1300 in total for the Quaife unit and the installation. This was a few years ago so their prices will probably have increased.

If you're looking for the most cost effective solution, a few people on the forum have done it for the price of a Blackline LSD (around £600) and their own labour on their driveways.